AVR in Japan?

[wes]

Greetings everyone! I'm brand spanking new to this forum, but feel so relieved to have found such a gem of wealthy information!

Anyway, as you can probably surmise from the title, I'm 32 years old and currently living in Osaka, Japan, and it looks like I'm set to get my bi-cuspid valve replaced in the very near future. I have moderate to severe AR and my aorta is quite enlarged. No major symptoms yet (except for my occasional strong AR "kickback"), but my cardiologist recommended I get the valve replaced before it becomes an emergency.

Now, my question comes to all of you. Has anyone out there had AVR in Japan? Where? When? Any advice?

I'm currently a patient at the National Cardiovascular Center in Suita, Japan. It's the 2nd largest cardiovascular hospital in Japan, and from what I've gathered, has a pretty good reputation. The only downside is that they do mechanical valve replacement only. My cardiologist speaks pretty good English and my recent CT showed no aneurisms or stenosis (hooray!). The next step is to meet with the surgeon to go over the procedure. That meeting is set for Friday, September 21st, and boy am I busy preparing a list of questions in Japanese! If everything goes according to plan, I should have my operation sometime in October. Of course I'll update everyone on my progress and I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more posts from me with pre-op questions!

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome to our wonderful community. We will be here for you now so don't hesitate to ask us anything!!

I think, because of your age, you would probably want to choose a mechanical valve anyway. Tissue might wear out more quickly for you and need replacing several times in your lifetime. If the surgeon is quite experienced with heart surgeries and with valve replacement, you can probably feel assured that your experience will be routine and successful.

My problem with my aortic valve was just the opposite....stenotic and shrinking..closing up.

As you are waiting for your surgery, please refrain from activities which would suddenly boost your blood pressure...no heavy lifting, no bursts (read turbo boosts) of energy for things..... Just best to err on the side of safety.

I'm sure others will be along shortly.

Marguerite

 

[Bina]

Hello Wes, and welcome to our fabulous group.
You are already one big step ahead in the game plan, you are doing research!
Once you meet with the surgeon things will just fall into place.
Nice to meet you.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us. Keep in touch.

 

[uchong]

Valve

Valve

hi Wes, my name is Bill if they will work with you, you should go to this web sight www.onxvalves.com and read up on this valve i have one thats an ON-X Aortic Valve. its a big hit in other country's i am in the USA one day maybe you will not have to take rat poison for blood clots. the best to you and let us know if you read the info. where are you from?

Bill

 

[hensylee]

welcome, Wes. You have found the best site on the net for the info you need.

 

[Shutterbug]

Hi Wes
Welcome to the VR community. I can't help too much with the mechanical valve, but can tell you not be afraid to ask any question at all. These folks are a terrific group of people, and are not afraid to give you an answer or opinion on any subject relating to your valve replacement. You have found a truly special place. Best wishes and again welcome.
Rich

 

[Cooker]

Wes,
Welcome to vr.com. There is a world of information here. I hope you find this site as fun and informative as I do!! Best of luck.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Greetings everyone! I'm brand spanking new to this forum, but feel so relieved to have found such a gem of wealthy information!

Anyway, as you can probably surmise from the title, I'm 32 years old and currently living in Osaka, Japan, and it looks like I'm set to get my bi-cuspid valve replaced in the very near future. I have moderate to severe AR and my aorta is quite enlarged. No major symptoms yet (except for my occasional strong AR "kickback"), but my cardiologist recommended I get the valve replaced before it becomes an emergency.

Now, my question comes to all of you. Has anyone out there had AVR in Japan? Where? When? Any advice?

I'm currently a patient at the National Cardiovascular Center in Suita, Japan. It's the 2nd largest cardiovascular hospital in Japan, and from what I've gathered, has a pretty good reputation. The only downside is that they do mechanical valve replacement only. My cardiologist speaks pretty good English and my recent CT showed no aneurisms or stenosis (hooray!). The next step is to meet with the surgeon to go over the procedure. That meeting is set for Friday, September 21st, and boy am I busy preparing a list of questions in Japanese! If everything goes according to plan, I should have my operation sometime in October. Of course I'll update everyone on my progress and I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more posts from me with pre-op questions!

Wes,

If you would be interested in the "Latest and Greatest" in Mechanical Valves from On-X, see www.onxvalves.com

I sent your request for info to Catheran Burnett RN BSN and Manager of Education and Promotion for On-X. She will be in India for the next 15 hours (where she has E-Mail connection at [email protected]) She will be meeting the Japanese Representive TOMORROW and will ask about your questions.

If you are interested in pursueing an On-X Valve in Japan, she asked that you e-mail her before she leaves India (preferably tonight in USA).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[uchong]

on-x valve

on-x valve

hellooo,

Did you meet the lady from MCRI about the ON-X valve? if so what are you going to do?

Bill

 

[wes]

Bill,

I have been in contact with Catheran, so everything is well. I just have to make sure that my surgeon is in contact with the Japanese sales rep. The surgeon seems very flexible with the valve choice, and On-X valves are used widely throughout Japan. I wonder if Japanese people do as much research as westerners when it comes to this type of surgery. Maybe there's even a Japanese version of this web site floating around somewhere? It would be interesting to see if there are any other valvereplacement.com-type sites in other languages drifting along in cyberspace.